There have been several reports of Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) bacteria that are resistant to the antibiotic vancomycin. Vancomycin is an antibiotic to which most S. aureus bacteria are susceptible and is used to treat many serious bacterial infections that are resistant to other antibiotics.

To date, all vancomycin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (VRSA) bacteria have been susceptible to other antibiotics.

As VISA and VRSA are types of Staphylococcus aureus infection. The transmission, signs and symptoms of infection, duration of illness, complications and diagnosis are the same as for Staphylococcus aureus.